Irresistibly Yours by Lauren Layne

Goodreads Summary

Hotshot sports editor Cole Sharpe has been freelancing for Oxford for years, so when he hears about a staff position opening up, he figures he’s got the inside track. Then his boss drops a bombshell: Cole has competition. Female competition, in the form of a fresh-faced tomboy who can hang with the dudes—and write circles around them, too. Cole usually likes his women flirty and curvy, but he takes a special interest in his skinny, sassy rival, if only to keep an eye on her. And soon, he can’t take his eyes off her.

Penelope Pope knows all too well that she comes off as just one of the guys. Since she’s learned that wanting more usually leads to disappointment, Penelope’s resigned to sitting on the sidelines when it comes to love. So why does Cole make her want to get back in the game? The man is as arrogant as he is handsome. He probably sees her as nothing more than a barrier to his dream job. But when an unexpected kiss turns into a night of irresistible passion, Penelope has to figure out whether they’re just fooling around—or starting something real.

Review

A book about two sports reports sounds amazing, given that I’m a huge sports fan. Add to that that they are both big baseball fans, I’m in.

Penelope Pope has moved to New York because her dream job was stolen out from under her by a man she thought she was in love with. While at a Yankees game, she meets Cole Sharpe – and realizes that they are going for the same job – co-editor at Oxford Magazine.

Penelope considers herself “the girl next door” and in the friend-zone with every guy she meets. She doesn’t believe she’s worthy. I have to say off the bat – I hated that aspect of the book. She was SO self-deprecating. It got really old, really fast, and honestly went on through almost the entire book.

Anyway, I did like Cole. He took care of his older brother, and we didn’t realize right away why, but it really made the story so much sweeter. I loved Bobby, Cole’s brother. He was a great character.

I loved the side characters in this story as well, but it was hard to really love this story, given Penelope’s constant self-bashing. If she’d had a little more confidence, I would have given this book another star.

I will continue to read this series for sure. Overall, this was a cute story and I would recommend.